Plus, just look at my bed, the most comfortable bed EVER. It is practically telling me to lay in it all day.
I better take a nap or rest some more :)
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Breakfast In Bed
Saturday and Sunday mornings/afternoons are my favorite. I love to make some coffee, bring it to bed and comfortably watch SOAP Net's, Breakfast In Bed from 9 am-2 pm. They replay episodes of my favorite shows: The O.C., One Tree Hill, 90210 (the original), and Gilmore Girls. It's safe to say, not much gets accomplished during the time frame, but I don't always watch TV the entire time-I take naps in between commercial breaks and episodes I have seen or don't care much for. I know, I know, I should make better use of my time, but hey, I don't get this kind of time often. I'm on break right now so I MUST make efficient use of it!
Just Move Along
As some of you know, I am moving again- staying in Lincoln but moving to a different apartment. I am excited! Since I am more comfortable with Lincoln and have developed friendships, I think this will be a good move. I will be moving away from things that make me feel uncomfortable and tend to add un-necessary stresses to my already crazy life! Plus, I will be living with my friend and classmate Erin. I realize that I haven't had a great batting average with roommates in the past, but I've also been subject to some unusual circumstances. I will say, that I have gotten along just fine with roommates that are my close friends, so I am very optimistic and excited to live with Erin.
Last weekend when mom, dad and myself traveled to Springfield to visit Stephanie, we began discussing the moving process. I was alarmed when I realized I have very limited time to move! I thought that I'd had plenty of time to slowly move into the new apartment-in my dream world. Reality poses a different time frame. When I get back from California, I will have about 2 days to move before I start summer clinic and classes. Since my schedule is complicated and I will be working Saturdays now, that doesn't really leave time to move. In just one thought, my whole summer plans changed! Luckily, mom had a few days to spare and she came to Lincoln in between my work days (I called in sick) to help me pack. My oh my did we get a lot accomplished! I most definitely could not have accomplished all that we did without her help. Thanks mom! It wasn't all work though, unless you consider shopping work :)
Last weekend when mom, dad and myself traveled to Springfield to visit Stephanie, we began discussing the moving process. I was alarmed when I realized I have very limited time to move! I thought that I'd had plenty of time to slowly move into the new apartment-in my dream world. Reality poses a different time frame. When I get back from California, I will have about 2 days to move before I start summer clinic and classes. Since my schedule is complicated and I will be working Saturdays now, that doesn't really leave time to move. In just one thought, my whole summer plans changed! Luckily, mom had a few days to spare and she came to Lincoln in between my work days (I called in sick) to help me pack. My oh my did we get a lot accomplished! I most definitely could not have accomplished all that we did without her help. Thanks mom! It wasn't all work though, unless you consider shopping work :)
This is where my computer sits now, since mom and I respectfully destroyed the desk it was sitting on. My new apartment has built in desks-no need to worry.
Since my computer is on the floor and my desk no longer exists, I use that space to, well....
collect.
Monday, May 3, 2010
MISSION: De-clutter Life
Finals will be over soon, FINALLY. As you can see, it purged all over my bedroom floor. Quick, clean up on isle, "is it over yet?!" Looking at this, I notice some thank you cards; not sure who I plan on thanking anytime soon other than God who so lovingly is getting me through these painful weeks. Okay, maybe a bit dramatic, but really, it sucks.
If that wasn't stressful enough, take a look in my closet, or maybe don't.
Rest assured, there is a life vest at a step-ladder and arm's reach away. I think that is what I have needed: Hope and a glimmer of light that I will make my way out of this frustrating, sloppy mess (literally and figuratively). My plan of action is to utilize the limited time off I have to minimize my inventory or what I have always thought of as investments. It's time to down size-for an easier move (oh yeah, I'm moving soon!) and a little stress-relief/self-accomplishment task.
If you have any management tips or suggestions, PLEASE advise!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Where in the World is Kelly Archer?
Good question. I am afraid I have abandoned my responsibilities as a "poster" for school, work, and travels. However, I will resume what I started with the best of intentions. Realizing, I probably won't get a post in once a week, but I don't want to quit without a fight.
A lot has happened between now and Christmas. The whole Archer clan made a visit to California to visit the family and have some vacation time. I became the Organizational Chair person for UNL Student Academy of Audiology (SAA). Currently, for work and SAA, I am working on a Hearing Conservation Program for grade school students in the Title 1, Lincoln, schools. Maybe I will make my marker here then:
ATTN: There are 3 causes for hearing loss; genetics, aging process, and noise exposure. We cannot control hearing loss due to genetic makeup or aging, however, hearing loss due to noise exposure is 100% preventable. Keep these 3 primary goals in mind: Protect, Prevent, Preserve. Wear hearing protection (correctly). Prevent hearing loss by turning down the volume, wearing hearing protection, avoiding exposure to excessive levels of noise. and Preserve what you have. Even if you have a hearing loss, protect what hearing you do have.
Common causes of hearing loss due to noise exposure: Concerts, earbuds (they don't cancel out background noise so you turn them up louder to compensate for that noise), lawn mowers, farming equipment, construction, motor-cross/motorcycles (Scott), firearms-hunting, etc.
Hearing loss in children is becoming move prevalent due to exposure to noise: specifically earbuds, TV, video games, hunting, loud toys, go-carts/4-wheelers, etc.
What kind of hearing protection is appropriate? Cotton in your ears will not cut it, at all. Ear muffs work great, but not the earmuffs that play music because you end up turning the music up louder to overcome the noise of the lawn mower or other background noise. Custom hearing protection is also great because everyone has differently shaped ear canals, so it would provide the greatest attenuation of noise (reduction of noise). If you have disposable foam earplugs, those work fine if inserted correctly.
Of course, you can always ask me more about this if you have questions.
Alright now, I have been working diligently at school. Just yesterday, I passed my final practical exam!! AND, I will be going offsite for clinic this summer to an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) Clinic in Omaha 2 full days a week. Normally, students don't go off site until fall of 2nd year. I wish I could say I am going offsite because my skills are advanced, but in reality, the program accepted too many students than they have supervisors for and accepted just as many into the program next year. This means, they are sending some of us off campus earlier than usual because they don't have room for everyone.
This also means, that I am TERRIFIED! Not only will I be leaving my bubble, but I will be at an ENT clinic which is extremely fast pace, and in Omaha. Also, since I have to be there 2 full days a week, where I might have 15 evaluations in 1 day as opposed to the 2 evaluations a week I have had, I will probably have to work on Saturdays.
Wish me luck!
This year, I also took a trip to Cincinnati to visit my friend Leah and also spent a day at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. It was a great experience, but didn't confirm where I want to be as an audiologist. However, with all the experiences I have had so far, I think I would feel more comfortable and feel like a good audiologist in a private practice, university, or working for a hospital. I guess I'll find out soon how I really feel about the ENT clinic, but I can't see myself there. I really want to provide patient centered care, and many (not all) ENT clinics push for more patients, more hearing aid sales, so faster, faster, faster. That means, you lose time counseling patients and getting to know them. Of course, that is not the way the audiologist wants things, but you have ENT physicians and administrative personnel who don't know the first thing about your job and responsibilities, telling you, you only have 30 minutes to obtain a case history, a full diagnostic evaluation, counsel, and get a hearing aid sale. That means, you lose out on counseling and case history. Some times, you even have to omit parts of the test battery. It's not fair, but unfortunately audiologists haven't gained autonomy yet. In fact, the AMA (American Medical Association) just published a document suggesting that audiologists aren't necessary and shouldn't be called doctor. I won't get into all the details, but I will say that it was not based on data, just some old farts opinion who spend 12 years in school to be called a medical doctor and doesn't want to share his title with anyone else. EVEN THOUGH, audiologists are not medical doctors. It's a heated discussion that I shouldn't get into right now; I could go on and on.
So for now, my closing statement will be that this has been a very challenging semester, but I have had some great experiences and trips, which I will share more!
A lot has happened between now and Christmas. The whole Archer clan made a visit to California to visit the family and have some vacation time. I became the Organizational Chair person for UNL Student Academy of Audiology (SAA). Currently, for work and SAA, I am working on a Hearing Conservation Program for grade school students in the Title 1, Lincoln, schools. Maybe I will make my marker here then:
ATTN: There are 3 causes for hearing loss; genetics, aging process, and noise exposure. We cannot control hearing loss due to genetic makeup or aging, however, hearing loss due to noise exposure is 100% preventable. Keep these 3 primary goals in mind: Protect, Prevent, Preserve. Wear hearing protection (correctly). Prevent hearing loss by turning down the volume, wearing hearing protection, avoiding exposure to excessive levels of noise. and Preserve what you have. Even if you have a hearing loss, protect what hearing you do have.
Common causes of hearing loss due to noise exposure: Concerts, earbuds (they don't cancel out background noise so you turn them up louder to compensate for that noise), lawn mowers, farming equipment, construction, motor-cross/motorcycles (Scott), firearms-hunting, etc.
Hearing loss in children is becoming move prevalent due to exposure to noise: specifically earbuds, TV, video games, hunting, loud toys, go-carts/4-wheelers, etc.
What kind of hearing protection is appropriate? Cotton in your ears will not cut it, at all. Ear muffs work great, but not the earmuffs that play music because you end up turning the music up louder to overcome the noise of the lawn mower or other background noise. Custom hearing protection is also great because everyone has differently shaped ear canals, so it would provide the greatest attenuation of noise (reduction of noise). If you have disposable foam earplugs, those work fine if inserted correctly.
Of course, you can always ask me more about this if you have questions.
Alright now, I have been working diligently at school. Just yesterday, I passed my final practical exam!! AND, I will be going offsite for clinic this summer to an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) Clinic in Omaha 2 full days a week. Normally, students don't go off site until fall of 2nd year. I wish I could say I am going offsite because my skills are advanced, but in reality, the program accepted too many students than they have supervisors for and accepted just as many into the program next year. This means, they are sending some of us off campus earlier than usual because they don't have room for everyone.
This also means, that I am TERRIFIED! Not only will I be leaving my bubble, but I will be at an ENT clinic which is extremely fast pace, and in Omaha. Also, since I have to be there 2 full days a week, where I might have 15 evaluations in 1 day as opposed to the 2 evaluations a week I have had, I will probably have to work on Saturdays.
Wish me luck!
This year, I also took a trip to Cincinnati to visit my friend Leah and also spent a day at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. It was a great experience, but didn't confirm where I want to be as an audiologist. However, with all the experiences I have had so far, I think I would feel more comfortable and feel like a good audiologist in a private practice, university, or working for a hospital. I guess I'll find out soon how I really feel about the ENT clinic, but I can't see myself there. I really want to provide patient centered care, and many (not all) ENT clinics push for more patients, more hearing aid sales, so faster, faster, faster. That means, you lose time counseling patients and getting to know them. Of course, that is not the way the audiologist wants things, but you have ENT physicians and administrative personnel who don't know the first thing about your job and responsibilities, telling you, you only have 30 minutes to obtain a case history, a full diagnostic evaluation, counsel, and get a hearing aid sale. That means, you lose out on counseling and case history. Some times, you even have to omit parts of the test battery. It's not fair, but unfortunately audiologists haven't gained autonomy yet. In fact, the AMA (American Medical Association) just published a document suggesting that audiologists aren't necessary and shouldn't be called doctor. I won't get into all the details, but I will say that it was not based on data, just some old farts opinion who spend 12 years in school to be called a medical doctor and doesn't want to share his title with anyone else. EVEN THOUGH, audiologists are not medical doctors. It's a heated discussion that I shouldn't get into right now; I could go on and on.
So for now, my closing statement will be that this has been a very challenging semester, but I have had some great experiences and trips, which I will share more!
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